| Summary: | During the Civil War, Semple served as a captain of an artillery battery organized in Montgomery (known as Semple's Battery). He was later appointed a major and transferred to Mobile. In the letter Semple addresses an accusation Hardee has made against him: "My attention has been called to the note of the Lt. General on the subject of the difference in in the appearance of my horses, from those of the other Batteries of the Division, and as he presumes they have all fared alike in the matter of forage he attributes it to want of attention." Semple explains that his large battery, which requires more horses than smaller units, has not received adequate provisions for the extra horses it requires: "I venture to say...that less assistance up to our arrival at Knoxville has been rendered to mine than to any in the Division - With only one blacksmith and no nails or nail rod iron...the horses suffered greatly for shoeing which of course materially affects their appearance and condition - Had I received one half the assistance in forage before I arrived at Knoxville which I have obtained since...there would be no cause to complain of the condition of my horses and many valuable horses would have been now serviceable which have been condemned."
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